Memorial Gymnasium
Memorial Gymnasium, known as “Memorial; the "Fenway Park of College Basketball"”, is a basketball arena in Nashville, Tennessee, home of the Vanderbilt Commodores (SEC, NCAA Division I). It opened in 1952, making it 74 years old in 2026 and seats 14,316 for basketball. It ranks 7th of 16 in the SEC by capacity.
The closest NBA arena is FedExForum in Memphis, about 192 miles away.
Arena facts
- Location
- Nashville, Tennessee
- Home of
- Vanderbilt Commodores
- School
- Vanderbilt University
- Conference
- SEC
- Opened
- 1952
- Capacity
- 14,316
- Nickname
- Memorial; the "Fenway Park of College Basketball"
- Also home to
- Vanderbilt women's basketball
Vanderbilt volleyball
Nashville Vibe (from 2027) - Size rank in D-I
- 35th of 360
Famous games at Memorial Gymnasium
- March 10, 1984: Kentucky edged Charles Barkley's Auburn 51-49 in the SEC tournament championship game.
- 1991: Alabama routed Tennessee 88-69 to win the SEC tournament title at Memorial Gym.
- Feb. 17, 2007: Vanderbilt beat defending national champion and No. 1 Florida 83-70, ending the Gators' 17-game winning streak.
- Feb. 26, 2008: Shan Foster scored 32 as No. 18 Vanderbilt stunned No. 1 Tennessee 72-69 on a snowy Tuesday night.
Seating & views at Memorial Gymnasium
Memorial Gym seats 14,316 in three decks around a raised, stage-like floor, and its famous quirk is that the team benches sit on the baselines rather than the sidelines. Since 2015-16 coaches get a standard sideline coaching box, but players still sit at the ends. The low-ceilinged middle deck gives a wide, cinematic view of the court. The student section is in Sections G, H and I, and students claim a free ticket before each game.
Parking & tailgating at Memorial Gymnasium
Basketball parking is in the 25th Avenue Garage at 2444 Highland Ave., which opens two hours before tip, with a shuttle to the gym once gates open and again after the game. Single-game parking can be bought ahead or on site, but no cash is taken. The Kensington Garage is for season passes held by donors only. ADA spaces are near the 25th Avenue Garage elevators. Tailgating is not allowed in the garages.
Plan your trip to Memorial Gymnasium
Arenas near Memorial Gymnasium10
- 1D-IAllen Arena — Lipscomb Bisons same city
- 2D-ICurb Event Center — Belmont Bruins same city
- 3D-IGentry Complex — Tennessee State Tigers same city
- 4D-IMurphy Center — Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 31 mi
- 5D-IF&M Bank Arena — Austin Peay Governors 40 mi
- 6D-IE. A. Diddle Arena — Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 59 mi
- 7D-IHooper Eblen Center — Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles 72 mi
- 8D-ICFSB Center — Murray State Racers 90 mi
- 9D-IAlabama A&M Events Center — Alabama A&M Bulldogs 96 mi
- 10D-IFlowers Hall — North Alabama Lions 103 mi
Questions about Memorial Gymnasium
Where do the Vanderbilt Commodores play home games?
The Vanderbilt Commodores play at Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville, Tennessee.
How many people does Memorial Gymnasium hold?
Memorial Gymnasium seats 14,316 for basketball.
When did Memorial Gymnasium open?
Memorial Gymnasium opened in 1952.
What is Memorial Gymnasium’s nickname?
Memorial Gymnasium is known as “Memorial; the "Fenway Park of College Basketball".”
What other arenas are near Memorial Gymnasium?
Allen Arena is also in Nashville. See the full list of nearby arenas on this page.
Facts are for the 2026–27 season. Distances are straight-line miles between city centers. Capacity figures vary by source. See something wrong? Let us know. Is this your arena? Get the “Listed on Hoops Arenas” badge for your website.